Heather Li

El Cholo was poppin' the night I stopped by, and for good reason. The food is absolutely delicious. I had the carnitas, and it was truly the best carnitas I've ever had. I also REALLY liked the chips and salsa. We had a giant group and they were easily able to accommodate our group (which was probably 15-20 people). Considering how packed the restaurant was, the food came out so quickly. The service was good and there wasn't one single error with our bazillions of orders. I was very impressed. If you're looking for some delicious carnitas, go to El Cholo.

+3

Cloud

This place is perfect for authentic Mexican food. Lovely ambience and outdoor seating. Good service, eccellente value money. .

Juan

Sat outside with our pups- service was great, attentive. Food was delicious- def a fun place to go on an afternoon. The seafood fajitas was next level.

Philine

Great Mexican restaurant to go for every occasion. We just walked in without reservation and still got a “private” booth. The waiters were super friendly and helpful. Free nachos as a starter are perfect to start your food experience. My boyfriend had the burrito and I chosen the Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas. So delicious!!!

Dave Anderson

100 yrs of delicious food in a fantastic space. Late lunch outside on the patio with the Chicken Mole as a stand out offering. the Corn and green Chile tamale was great as well as the Carnitas enchilada and Relleno. be sure to ask for the Spicy salsa if ya want some heat. Excellent

+1

Andrea Prieto

We went for dinner. Tried many items of the menu and they were all so tasteful! The burrito had to be the favorite. The meat was like barbacoa style, so good. The place gives off an Italian vibe or very old timely look. The staff was very nice. The lighting was perfect, dim but not too dark. Only valet parking(cash). Parking on street is very limited. We got lucky. Cute bar across the street (calaveras) if you wanna do dinner and drinks one night. I would definitely come back here if I was craving Mexican. One of the few places we enjoyed in California.. the pictures/ presentation of the food is mediocre at best but trust that the food is good!!!

+1

I've been born and raised in LA and have surprisingly never have been to El Cholo before but have heard about it. I guess I need to start venturing out of the South Bay more. But as they state, El Ch…

My fiancé and my favorite restaurant in Santa Monica. The best most cozy place ever for date nights or brunch or birthday dinners or family gatherings. This is absolutely our go to. The service is al…

My fiancé and my favorite restaurant in Santa Monica. The best most cozy place ever for date nights or brunch or birthday dinners or family gatherings. This is absolutely our go to. The service i…

We came here for a holiday lunch with our team. It was so wonderful we got the guacamole as apps and then everyone got an entree. staff was so wonderful, would 100% come back!! They had these reall…

The food and ambiance here are always top notch. Such delicious and authentic Mexican food. Excellent service. Good salsa (though not the best in LA). Their margaritas are top notch. It's always a …

The food and ambiance here are always top notch. Such delicious and authentic mexican food. Excellent service. Good salsa (though not the best in LA). Their margaritas are top notch. It's always a …

I really enjoyed my visit to The Cholo! The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with a cool mix of modern and classic touches. The food was flavorful and beautifully presented--I especially loved …

My family & friends have been loving El Cholo since they came to Santa Monica. Whether it's happy hour, lunch or dinner IT'S ALWAYS A WIN!!! The staff is so friendly and attentive.

This conveniently located mexican restaurant in Santa Monica at Wilshire and 11th is a real treat!\nTim was the most helpful, fun and knowledgeable host ever!\nLooking forward to this excellent ser…

Love el cholo always try to go if I'm nearby for concert work etc the food is delicious always! Eating out is expensive everywhere so at least want it to be great food! Enchiladas and tacos and tam…

Great place for brunch. My husband and I met our friends here for brunch on Sunday. We did not need a reservation. It was clean. It was tasty. It was a good time. Ambience is wonderful. Servers are…

The service and the Mexican cuisine was outstanding. Family and friends had different dishes but all agreed that El Cholo was a wonderful choice.

The service and the mexican cuisine was outstanding. Family and friends had different dishes but all agreed that El Cholo was a wonderful choice.

The service and the Mexican cuisine was outstanding. Family and friends had different dishes but all agreed that El Cholo was a wonderful choice.

Authentic mexican food @ the beach. I normally go to the Original location but since I was on the westside, I figured I'd try this location and the food was still great. This is my favorite mexica…

We came here for dinner on a Tuesday night. No reservations needed. Parking was a bit difficult to find on Wilshire, so my friend ended up using the Valet ( $10) . I ordered the crab enchiladas and they were okay, a bit rich and bland. My friend ordered the Santa Barbara enchiladas, and he too, mentioned the sauce was bland. My husband ordered the chile relleno and enchiladas and he really enjoyed his meal. All three of these entrees came with beans and rice which was a nice complement. The service was good, but there was no follow up after the dishes were brought to the table. I had to look around for the servers to ask for more beer and the diet coke we asked for at the beginning was forgotten, so I had to ask for it again. The dishes were presented beautifully, and I really wanted to enjoy the food, since my friend flew in from out of town and wanted Mexican food. Perhaps because it was a slow night, due to the rainy weather and on a Tuesday, but the servers were hard to locate. Even the valet came to our table at 9pm to say his car was the only one on the lot and if he could pay now, it would be great. It wasn't an issue, and my friend didn't mind, but this gesture hinted to us that we should leave. We arrived for dinner around 7:45pm and left at 9pm.

Justin Wohl

You don't stay open for 100+ years on gimmick and imitation: El Cholo serves up "traditional" Mexican dishes aka the staples of tacos, enchiladas, rice & beans, chips & guac, and strong citrusy margaritas. Bite for bite there was nothing to complain about - I expect El Cholo will continue serving up classics to groups of coworkers and families out for dinner for the foreseeable. Consistency is key.

Tapan Rajpura

Some good mexican food since 1928 on Santa Monica. The ambiance is great, service is great and I had chimichanga and enchiladas which were delicious and good in quantity. Would definitely go again.

Vinita Sahajwala

Was there with family for a b'day celebration. Everyone loved their food... and I got the surf and turf enchiladas. Although, when the restaurant manager came in to basically shove us out of our space, while we were reviewing the bill, because they had a new party who'd booked our space, we were all taken aback. We weren't informed that we had a time restraint while making the reservation! The manager was quite indifferent to our exasperation... quite disappointed about her cool and dismissive attitude!

hd filmnoir

The food and service was really good at lunch time. This is a very well and old established restaurant in LA with deep routes in the community. Fish tacos were excellent and this is a restaurant that you will not walk away from still feeling hungry.

Came here with a friend for a light dinner. First impression: clean and welcoming. Our server was patient and kind--since we were catching up, he checked in a few times but also gave us space, whic…

Came here with a friend for a light dinner. First impression: clean and welcoming. Our server was patient and kind--since we were catching up, he checked in a few times but also gave us space, whic…

Growing up, this was the spot that my mom loved, but I like others better. Things have changed. The crab taquitos are the bomb and, even better, they're on the happy hour menu.\n\nMy mom comes for …

We had dinner here on the recommendation of a friend and we’re happy we did. The margaritas were excellent and the food was good, though the portions were too big for us. service was efficient and …

We had dinner here on the recommendation of a friend and we’re happy we did. The margaritas were excellent and the food was good, though the portions were too big for us. Service was efficient and …

I'll start by saying the food was delicious lots of cheese on my enchilada and plenty guacamole which was tasty along side some warm chips.\n\nI'm old enough to remember the Western location when the…

I'll start by saying the food was delicious lots of cheese on my enchilada and plenty guacamole which was tasty along side some warm chips.\n\nI'm old enough to remember the Western location when…

I grew up going to the original El Cholo on Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Their food was always delicious and service was great. My husband and I have also been to the other locations several time…

I grew up going to the original El Cholo on Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Their food was always delicious and service was great. My husband and I have also been to the other locations several time…

El Cholo is LA's most famous Mexican restaurant has a nice ambiance and is popular in Santa Monica. Not much choice on the westside since my beloved casa Escobar Wiltshire closed down. Service is d…

El Cholo is LA's most famous mexican restaurant has a nice ambiance and is popular in Santa Monica. Not much choice on the westside since my beloved casa Escobar Wiltshire closed down. Service is d…

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the meal. I think that the prices are pretty high for the portion sizes but we did enjoy our dishes. I would return for happy hour, but I find that $30 a plate for a s…

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the meal. I think that the prices are pretty high for the portion sizes but we did enjoy our dishes. I would return for happy hour, but I find that $30 a plate for a s…

I've been here 5 years ago and then again last week. Unfortunately the quality has been lost and the food is not as authentic as it used to be. It's ok but not wow.

I've been here 5 years ago and then again last week. Unfortunately the quality has been lost and the food is not as authentic as it used to be. It's ok but not wow.

Jimmy Monge

Food was boo boo. The rice and beans were very terrible. We ordered a bean and cheese burrito it was horrible. I didnt complain because i was with my girl but her enchiladas was terrible also. The brought me a hot sauce that tasted burnt....service was good and ambiance of the building was nice but food needs a upgrade or new chefs...this is my option. Bean and cheese burrito was almost 16 bucks..wow....

Alan K

Although this is a lovely place for happy hour, and the ambience is great! unfortunately the food quality it’s not quite what it used to be. The food prices have been steeply increased without adding an actual value to what is brought to the table. As far as quality goes, it is not up to pair up to some local Mexican eateries in the area and it certainly does not merit such high prices. One of their better dishes, beef fajitas, do not live up to expectations in both taste and portion size of it’s $28 price tag. Not to mention a $10 valet parking charge.

I haven't been there for a while, and WOW, have their prices gone up! Definitely not worth it! The $17 mezcal margaritas tasted only of sour limes and the food was just ok! Definitely better Mexica…

The one located on the west side is awful. They neglect to clean the tablecloths beneath the glass. There was food scattered all over it, food on the floor beneath the table, and everything felt in…

Asadbek Mirtazayev

I used to enjoy picking up deliveries from this store parking was simple and the staff inside were always great. But lately the valet team has completely ruined the experience. They’re unbelievably rude, disrespectful, and act like they’re doing you a favor just by standing there. They don’t communicate anything, and their attitude is downright unacceptable. Management seriously needs to step in, because the store itself is good, but the valet team is out of control.